Hospitality and Tourism Management

As the nation's number one retail employer, the hospitality and tourism industry employs millions of people. The demand for managers has grown and continues to grow as the demand for services grows. Along with this demand for services, is a growing emphasis on comfort, convenience and personalized attention. All of these factors increase the need for effective and efficient professionals to manage hospitality operations and lead teams of people.

Background Information

The hospitality and tourism industry is one of the fastest growing industries in the nation with hotels, motels, and restaurants remaining open 24 hours a day, seven days a week to meet the demands of our traveling society. According to the National Restaurant Association the food service industry employs more than 11.3 million workers. This makes the food service industry one of the leading generators of job growth in the United States. In the United States, hotel-keeping ranks seventh among service industries, coming only after such giants as public transportation and restaurant management. There are approximately 51,000 hotels in the United States with a total of 3.9 million rooms. The lodging industry employs 1.16 million people and supplies nearly 7.6 million jobs directly. The hospitality and tourism management (HTM) major can prepare you for one of these positions offering excellent pay and great opportunities for advancement.

The Program

The HTM major housed in the Department of Apparel Design and Hospitality Management at North Dakota State University begins with a solid foundation in general education courses. Students then begin the study of the management of resources such as people, materials, money, technology and time. Courses in these areas include personnel management, accounting, promotion and marketing, computer science, economics and business law. Next, students complete their major course work in HTM concentrating on producing quality services in the food and lodging industry. Courses in this area include tourism and travel management, hospitality law, sales and marketing management, professional catering management, food sanitation and other related food and hotel courses. A minor in business is required with this major. Students must have an overall 2.5 grade point average (GPA) to enroll in business administration classes. The faculty in the HTM program have excellent academic credentials in addition to industry experience. Students will find the faculty easy to approach in small class sizes for personal attention and assistance.

Student Advisement

An adviser is assigned to advise each student majoring in HTM. The academic adviser helps students set goals for their college work, choose courses and seek meaningful work experiences during their college career. In addition to the adviser, each incoming freshman and transfer student is assigned a student adviser to help with routine questions and to give assistance in adjusting to college life.

Work Experience

The Fargo-Moorhead area provides many quality hotels, motels and restaurants for students to gain work experience while completing their degrees. Supervised, on-the-job- experience (internship) is also required of all students in a professional work setting. Students complete the field experience during the summer between their junior and senior year. Placement is determined by the student and their desire for type of operation and preferred geographic location.

Career Opportunities

Because of the breadth of the industry, HTM graduates have a wide range of career alternatives. Graduates have found positions within restaurants, hotels and motels, recreational facilities, school and college food services, hotel training division services, health care facilities, resort hotels, catering, and food and beverage administration. Several major companies visit NDSU and hire HTM graduates for careers in the regional, national and international arena. The starting salary for a graduate in the HTM field can range from $28,000 to $40,000 with great possibility for increase in salary after the completion of management training.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

The Office of Student Financial Service makes available grants, loans, scholarships and work-study employment. Scholarships are also available through the Department of Apparel, Design and Hospitality Management for HTM students. Additionally, several hospitality associations have funds for scholarships, which are awarded by the associations through regional and national competition. Contact the Office of Student Financial Services or the Department of Apparel, Design and Hospitality Management for additional information.

Sample Curriculum

*Students must choose two focus areas from the following three options: Lodging management, restaurant management or event management. Each focus area consists of nine credits.

This sample curriculum is not intended to serve as a curriculum guide for current students, but rather an example of course offerings for prospective students. For the curriculum requirements in effect at the time of entrance into a program, consult with an academic adviser or with the Office of Registration and Records.

Contact Information

Director of Student Services and Advancement
College of Human Development and Education

North Dakota State University
Evelyn Morrow Lebedeff Hall 255D
Fargo, ND 58105

Tel: (701) 231-7071
Fax: (701) 231-7174
Email:Nancy.Gress@ndsu.edu
Web: www.ndsu.edu/hde

or

Department of Apparel, Design, Facility and Hospitality Management
College of Human Development and Education
North Dakota State University
Evelyn Morrow Lebedeff Hall 178
Fargo, ND 58105

Tel: (701) 231-8604
Fax: (701) 231-5273
Email: Kara.Wolf@ndsu.edu
Web: www.ndsu.edu/adfhm/

Office of Admission

North Dakota State University
124 Ceres Hall
Fargo, ND 58105

Tel: (701) 231-8643
Fax: (701) 231-8802
Email: NDSU.Admission@ndsu.edu
Web: http://www.ndsu.edu/prospective/students/

(12/08)